Launch Date: July 6, 2019 - A day in Pueblo

Today, fellow Castle Rock rocketeer Jim Gazur and I packed up the car with rockets and headed south  - 90 miles away to Pueblo, Colorado – to participate in a sport meet sponsored by S.C.O.R.E., the guys who hosted NARAM-60 last August.

Upon arriving at the spacious launch site around 9:45 a.m., we found about thirty rocketeers already out and sending models aloft.   The weather conditions were near perfect – around 80 degrees and wind conditions varying from dead calm to only occasional gusts to 5 mph.

I was immediately impressed with the launch site and facilities.  S.C.O.R.E. boasts a nice launch rack system on a cement pad with high power pads placed farther out.  They also have a small shed on-site for storing equipment.

After introducing myself to several of the members, I set about prepping my first flight of the day.  It took me awhile because I had to stop and watch several of the medium and high power birds that members were launching at regular intervals.

I soon had my Carlisle Mark II Rock-A-Chute replica on the home made launch pad with wood dowel rod.

Many of the old timer rocketeers present were delighted to see this historic rocket.

The model turned in a nice, high flight on an A10-3T motor.

Jim Gazur had brought along his Aerotech Astrobee-D to launch on a F67-4W motor.  

Carrying a Pnut altimeter, the model turned in a picture perfect flight, recovering on a Dino Chutes helicopter parachute.  The model landed right next to the launch racks.

My next model was the newly built FlatCat boost/glider. 

 The model boosted straight and high on a B4-2 motor.  At ejection the pod hung up on the glider, and I thought it was going to be a ‘Red Baron’ flight.  Instead, the model settled into a steady stable glide!  After a soft landing amid the cheers of the onlookers, I found that the pod’s shock line had draped over the wing in such a way that the glide CG hadn’t changed significantly.  Essentially, the FlatCat turned in a good flight as a Rocket/Glider.

Next up for Jim Gazur was a Madcow 2.6” Fiberglass Hawk flying on an F67.  The model weather-cocked and arced over, but managed to deploy its parachute before impacting the ground.

My last flight of the day was the maiden launch of my new Quest Big Rage.  I didn’t have time to install the intended 808 keychain camera, so I just flew it as a sport flight.  

The model flew perfectly on a C6=5 motor, deployed its 20 inch parachute and slowly drifted toward the dreaded ‘canyon’ to the north of the launch field.

After a 15 minute search among an area of scrub pine, I finally gave the model up for lost.

Several minutes later, after Jim and I had packed up and were just getting into the car to leave, a club member approached – carrying the Big Rage!  He had a good sight line on its landing area and found it hanging up in a tree.  I am very grateful for that gentleman’s efforts and kindness.

In fact all the members of S.C.O.R.E were extremely friendly and very supportive of each other.

It was a very enjoyable, professionally run meet.  Kudos to this excellent club!

I did happen to make the acquaintance of one Mr. John Tumis, one of the club members.  I just had to get a picture of his wonderfully orderly and efficient rocket prep area!

In a future post, I may have some photos I took of other club members and their rockets.  Stay tuned.